Abstract
A new, unified approach towards the delay and error constraints that influence the quality of a digitized voice over asynchronous local computer networks is proposed. This approach, called Slack automatic repeat request (ARQ) (S-ARQ), proposes an extension of the control time mechanism for jitter control in order to provide error recovery through retransmissions in the case of packet losses in the network. While existing packet voice protocols do not use retransmission schemes, the authors' simulation studies indicate that extended control time can provide significant error coverage while remaining within the same order of magnitude as the control time required for jitter control. Simulation experiments reveal that the concept is clearly feasible within the end-to-end delay constraints in packet voice transmissions.